September 15, 2014 – Apple release a tool to remove U2‘s new album, Songs of Innocence, from iTunes accounts after giving away the music for free. Songs of Innocence is considered the biggest album launch in history because about half a billion iTunes users owned it on the day of its release. Apple reportedly gave U2 a large blanket … Continue reading CDJ Today: September 15 in Classic Rock →

August 4, 1975 – Led Zeppelin‘s tour is postponed following Robert Plant’s serious auto accident on the small Greek island of Rhodos.  Plant has multiple fractures of  his ankle, bones supporting his foot, and elbow. Doctors initally tell Plant he may never walk again. His wife, Maureen, also in the car, suffers a lengthy period of concussions, and breaks her leg in several … Continue reading CDJ Today: August 4 in Classic Rock →

June 21, 1985 – Mötley Crüe release their third studio album Theatre of Pain which goes on to sell over four million copies in the U.S. and spawns the hits “Home Sweet Home” and the remake “Smokin’ In The Boys Room.” June 21, 1975 – Ritchie Blackmore leaves Deep Purple to form Rainbow. Blackmore says, “I wasn’t interested in the direction they were going. I thought … Continue reading CDJ Today: June 21 in Classic Rock →

April 25, 1980 – Black Sabbath release their ninth studio album, Heaven and Hell. It’s the first Sabbath album to feature Ronnie James Dio as lead singer, who replaced Ozzy Osbourne.  The album goes on to reach platinum status in the U.S. April 25, 1988 – Doc McGhee, manager of Bon Jovi and Mötley Crüe, pleads guilty to importing more than 40,000 lbs of … Continue reading CDJ Today: April 25 in Classic Rock →

March 23, 1969 – 30,000 people attend the “Rally For Decency” in Miami at the Orange Bowl after Jim Morrison was charged with indecent exposure in the city.  Countering the counter-culture, announcements publicizing the rally warn that “longhairs and weird dressers” won’t be let inside. Celebrities at the event included Kate Smith, Jackie Gleason, The Lettermen … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 23 in Classic Rock →

March 11, 1995 – Van Halen kicks off their “Balance” tour in Pensacola, FL. It is later dubbed the “Ambulance” tour by Eddie Van Halen due to his hip surgery and Alex Van Halen’s need to wear a neck brace for most of the gigs. March 11, 2005 –  Ozzy Osbourne’s front door from his childhood home in … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 11 in Classic Rock →

March 1, 1969 – Jim Morrison of The Doors receives a felony charge of lewd and lascivious behavior and five misdemeanors; two counts of indecent exposure, two of public profanity and one of public drunkenness after allegedly showing his penis to a Miami audience.  Although it has never been confirmed that he actually exposed himself, he did say, “You want to … Continue reading CDJ Today: March 1 in Classic Rock →

February 27, 1970 – Jefferson Airplane is fined $1,000 for for singing profanity while on stage in Oklahoma City. The ordinance prohibiting obscene language was drawn up a year earlier when Jim Morrison of The Doors allegedly exposed himself at a concert. February 27, 1977 – Keith Richards is arrested and charged with “possession of … Continue reading CDJ Today: February 27 in Classic Rock →

November 11, 1968 – John Lennon and Yoko Ono release Unfinished Music No.1: Two Virgins which is the first of three experimental albums they produce.  The album features a cover photo of the pair naked, which many record stores carry in a brown paper wrapper. November 11, 1990 – A 21 year-old AC/DC fan dies after suffering fatal head injuries … Continue reading CDJ Today: November 11 in Classic Rock →

A new book featuring the writings of Doors frontman Jim Morrison is due for release on June 8th via Harper Collins Publishers. The Collected Works of Jim Morison: Poetry, Journals, Transcripts and Lyrics was born out of a list, written by Morrison at some point before his untimely death, which he had titled “Plan for … Continue reading New Jim Morrison Book Due Out in June →

Fans of The Doors will savor the news about the November 11 street date of a never-before-released documentary film produced by the band.  Titled Feast of Friends, the intimate and rare look at the explosive rock band is, after 45 years, finally being released. Shelved due to lead singer Jim Morrison’s legal issues, the uncompleted … Continue reading Watch the Trailer for Previously Unreleased Self-Produced Film from The Doors →

A list of subjects for postage stamps which will be issued by the U.S. Postal Service over the next two years has been released via The Washington Post. Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix will both appear on stamps in 2014 as part of the “Music Icons” collection. John Lennon’s name also appears on the list … Continue reading John Lennon, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix to Appear on Postage Stamps →